August 13, 2024
Tech That Supports Champions
In this BBC Reel short film, viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at how adaptive technology is transforming the Paralympic experience—and how elite long jumper Lex Gillette is using it to compete with confidence.
As a blind athlete, Lex relies on sound-based guidance systems, AI-powered apps, and accessible devices to help him train, compete, and navigate the logistics of travel and competition. These tools aren’t just helpful—they’re essential to high-level performance.
A World Built on Audio, Not Sight
Lex describes the intensity of his long jump routine: sprinting full force toward a takeoff board he can’t see. His success relies on the voice of his guide, precision timing, and environmental awareness. With assistive tech, he gets audible descriptions of everything from his surroundings to menu screens and transportation options.
Technology helps bridge the gap between visual information and actionable insight.
Smarter Tools, Greater Independence
Featured tech includes:
- Sound beacons and navigation aids that help athletes move independently through Paralympic venues
- Smartphone apps that read out text and interpret the environment
- Wearables that provide haptic feedback and voice updates
- AI voice assistants integrated into devices like Google Pixel and other smart tools
These solutions give athletes like Lex the freedom to focus on their training instead of worrying about how to find their way through airports, stadiums, or village housing.
Designing with Inclusion in Mind
The video emphasizes that these innovations aren’t just upgrades—they’re a matter of equity. Lex’s experience reminds us that accessible design enables elite performance, and that all athletes deserve access to tools that let them succeed on their own terms.
As Lex puts it:
“You don’t need sight to have a vision.”
Watch the Full BBC Feature
Watch “How New Tech Helps Paralympians Navigate the Games” on BBC Reel
